Wynonna Judd is a celebrated American country music singer renowned for her powerful vocals and successful career, boasting 19 No. 1 singles. She initially gained fame as part of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds, with her mother, Naomi, in the 1980s. Their collaboration yielded numerous chart-topping hits and solidified their place in country music history. Wynonna's successful solo career and recent accolade as the "country champion" at the "People's Choice Country Awards" in 2023 further cement her legacy as a prominent figure in country music.
May 30, 1964: Birth of Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Ellen Judd, originally named Christina Claire Ciminella, was born on May 30, 1964, in Ashland, Kentucky. Her mother, Naomi Judd, had married Michael Ciminella after being abandoned by Wynonna's biological father, Charles Jordan. Jordan later died in 2000.
1968: Family Moved to Los Angeles
In 1968, Wynonna Judd's family moved to Los Angeles. This move was part of a series of relocations that would eventually bring them back to Kentucky in 1976.
1972: Parents' Divorce
By 1972, Naomi Judd and Michael Ciminella had divorced. This event led to further changes in the family's living arrangements and dynamics.
1976: Moved Back to Kentucky
In 1976, Naomi Judd moved back to Kentucky with her daughters Wynonna and Ashley. This return to Kentucky played a crucial role in Wynonna's musical development and career.
1979: Moved to Nashville to Pursue Music
In 1979, Wynonna Judd and her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue musical careers. This move marked the beginning of her journey in the country music industry.
1983: Signed to RCA Records as The Judds
In 1983, Wynonna and Naomi Judd were signed to RCA Records as the duo The Judds. This marked the start of their highly successful career in country music.
1991: Solo Career Began
In 1991, following the disbandment of The Judds, Wynonna Judd launched her solo career. She signed with MCA Records in association with Curb Records and began releasing music independently from her mother.
1991: The Judds' Original Farewell Concert
The Judds held their original farewell concert in 1991.
1991: Naomi's Retirement Due to Health Issues
In 1991, chronic hepatitis C forced Naomi Judd into retirement, leading to a farewell tour and the end of The Judds as a duo. This significant event marked the beginning of Wynonna's solo career.
1991: Disbanded The Judds
In 1991, The Judds disbanded due to Naomi Judd's health issues. This event led Wynonna to pursue a solo career.
January 27, 1992: First Solo Television Performance
On January 27, 1992, Wynonna Judd performed solo on television for the first time at the American Music Awards. She unveiled her single 'She Is His Only Need,' marking the launch of her solo career.
1993: Release of Tell Me Why
In 1993, Wynonna Judd released her second album, 'Tell Me Why,' which became a platinum-selling record. The album featured five consecutive Top Ten hits on the country charts.
1994: Appearance on Skynyrd Frynds
In 1994, Wynonna Judd appeared on the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute album 'Skynyrd Frynds,' covering their song 'Free Bird.' This marked her crossover into different musical genres.
1995: Negative Publicity and Absence from Charts
In 1995, Wynonna Judd faced negative publicity for having a child out of wedlock. This controversy led to her absence from the country charts for the entire year.
1996: Marriage to Arch Kelly
In 1996, Wynonna Judd married Arch Kelly, the father of her daughter and son. This personal milestone occurred amid her successful musical career.
1996: Marriage to Arch Kelley III
In 1996, Wynonna Judd married businessman Arch Kelley III. The couple had one son before their marriage and welcomed a second child together.
1996: Release of Revelations
In 1996, Wynonna Judd released her third album, 'Revelations,' which achieved platinum certification. The album's lead single, 'To Be Loved by You,' became her fourth number one hit.
1996: Fourth Solo Number One Hit
In 1996, Wynonna Judd's single 'To Be Loved by You' reached number one on the charts, becoming her fourth solo number one hit. This song was part of her third album, 'Revelations,' which also achieved platinum certification.
1997: Release of The Other Side
In 1997, Wynonna Judd released 'The Other Side,' her fourth album for MCA. Unlike her previous albums, this one focused on a more blues and rock sound. Despite its gold certification, the album's singles were not as successful on the charts.
1998: Divorce from Arch Kelley III
In 1998, Wynonna Judd and Arch Kelley III divorced, ending their marriage after two years.
1999: The Judds Reunion Tour and New Album Release
In 1999, Wynonna reunited with her mother, Naomi, to embark on a tour that began on New Year's Eve. Following this reunion, Wynonna released her fifth solo album, "New Day Dawning," marking her first foray into co-producing her music. The album notably included a bonus disc titled "Big Bang Boogie," featuring four new songs from The Judds.
1999: New Year's Eve Concert Reunion
On New Year's Eve in 1999, Wynonna Judd reunited with her mother Naomi for a special concert sponsored by K-Mart to ring in the year 2000. This reunion was followed by a full-fledged tour in 2000.
1999: Voice Acting and Television Appearances
Wynonna provided the voice for the character Molly Cule in an episode of the children's animated series "The Magic School Bus" titled "Meets Molly Cule" and appeared as Green Puppy's owner on the preschool show "Blue's Clues."
2000: Death of Biological Father, Charles Jordan
In 2000, Wynonna Judd's biological father, Charles Jordan, passed away. This event marked a significant personal moment in her life.
2000: Tour and New Songs Release
In 2000, following their New Year's Eve concert, Wynonna and Naomi Judd embarked on a tour and released four new songs as part of Wynonna's album 'New Day Dawning.'
August 2003: Release of "What the World Needs Now Is Love"
August 2003 saw the release of Wynonna's sixth studio album, "What the World Needs Now Is Love," under the Curb Records label.
November 2003: Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show
In November 2003, Wynonna Judd taped an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she discussed her severe dependence on food. The episode aimed to help her lose weight and address the root of her issues.
November 22, 2003: Marriage to D. R. Roach
On November 22, 2003, Wynonna Judd married her former bodyguard, D. R. Roach, in Tennessee.
February 2004: Air Date of Oprah Winfrey Show Episode
The episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring Wynonna Judd's discussion on her food dependence aired in February 2004.
September 2005: Second Appearance on Oprah Winfrey Show
In September 2005, Wynonna Judd made a second appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she discussed her weight loss journey and efforts to improve relationships with her estranged parents.
October 2005: Performance on "VeggieTales"
Wynonna lent her voice to the character of Molly Cule in an episode of the animated series "The Magic School Bus" titled "Meets Molly Cule" in 1999. That same year, she also appeared as Green Puppy's owner in an episode of the children's show "Blue's Clues." During the fifth season of the television series "Touched by an Angel," Wynonna guest-starred as a singer coping with her son's battle with cystic fibrosis. She later took on a guest role in a two-part episode of the sitcom "Hope & Faith" titled "Wife Swap" in 2005, playing the character Cynthia. In October 2005, she contributed her vocals to the "VeggieTales" episode "Lord of the Beans," performing the song "It's About Love."
2005: USO's Merit Award and Charity Work
In 2005, Wynonna Judd received the USO's Merit Award for her service to all divisions of the United States Armed Forces. She collaborated with Habitat for Humanity to record "Heart of America" with Michael McDonald and Eric Benét, raising over $90 million for victims of natural disasters in the Gulf Coast. Additionally, she continued her role as United States Ambassador for YouthAIDS, highlighting the global emergency of AIDS in her fourth year.
2005: Release of Live Album, Autobiography, and Christmas Album
In 2005, Wynonna released a live CD/DVD package titled "Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime," coinciding with the release of her best-selling autobiography, "Coming Home to Myself." The album included a new single, "Attitude," co-written with John Rich of Big & Rich. That same year, she released her debut solo Christmas album, "A Classic Christmas," featuring a Latin rendition of "Ave Maria.
2005: Dance Chart Success and Collaboration
Wynonna achieved success on the Hot Dance Airplay charts in 2005 with her rendition of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is," peaking at number 12.
2006: Hosting "Nashville Star"
Wynonna served as the host for the fourth season of the USA Network's singing competition "Nashville Star" in 2006.
March 22, 2007: D. R. Roach Arrested and Divorce
On March 22, 2007, D. R. Roach, Wynonna Judd's husband, was arrested for sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. Wynonna filed for divorce five days later.
2007: Receiving a Star on the Music City Walk of Fame
Wynonna was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville in 2007.
2007: NBC Tribute Special
NBC aired a television special in 2007 titled "Wynonna: A Tribute on Ice," celebrating Wynonna's 23-year career. The special featured performances by Wynonna and Naomi, along with skating routines by renowned figure skaters such as Kimmie Meissner and Brian Boitano.
June 7, 2008: Live Internet Chat with Fans
On June 7, 2008, Wynonna Judd engaged with her fans through a live Internet chat session. The overwhelming participation of over 6,000 fans in the first five minutes caused the server to crash, eventually reaching a total of 18,000 viewers on Stickam.com.
2008: Duet with Elvis Presley
Wynonna participated in a posthumous duet with Elvis Presley on the 2008 RCA album "Christmas Duets."
February 3, 2009: Release of "Sing: Chapter 1"
Wynonna's first studio album in six years, "Sing: Chapter 1," was released on February 3, 2009, under the Curb Records label. This album primarily features cover songs, with the exception of the title track, an original piece written by Rodney Crowell.
May 9, 2009: Release of Dance Remix EP
A seven-song EP featuring dance remixes of the title track from "Sing: Chapter 1" was released on May 9, 2009.
August 2009: Appearance on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
Wynonna made a guest appearance on the 10th-anniversary special of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in August 2009, playing alongside host Regis Philbin in support of Backpack Ministries.
2009: Spokeswoman for Alli
In 2009, Wynonna Judd became the spokeswoman for Alli, the only FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss product, and featured in a national marketing campaign.
May 2010: Guest Appearance on "Army Wives"
In May 2010, Wynonna made a guest appearance on the Lifetime drama series "Army Wives" during season 4, episode 6.
September 14, 2010: Appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
The Judds made an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on September 14, 2010, during which Wynonna discussed her weight loss journey, personal challenges, and the experience of reuniting with her mother for their musical comeback.
October 4, 2010: Release of "I Will Stand By You"
The Judds released their new single, "I Will Stand By You," on October 4, 2010.
2010: The Last Encore Tour
In 2010, The Judds reunited for 'The Last Encore,' an 18-city tour that celebrated their musical legacy and renewed interest in their music.
April 5, 2011: Release of I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection
On April 5, 2011, Wynonna Judd and her mother Naomi released 'I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection,' an album featuring two new songs and twelve of their hits. This release followed their 'The Last Encore' tour in 2010.
April 10, 2011: Premiere of "The Judds"
A six-episode reality-documentary television series titled "The Judds" premiered on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network on April 10, 2011. The show offered viewers a glimpse into the lives of Wynonna and Naomi Judd as they prepared for and embarked on a musical tour while also working on strengthening their mother-daughter bond.
May 2011: Release of "Love It Out Loud"
A new single, "Love It Out Loud," was released in May 2011.
November 27, 2011: Debut of Wynonna & the Big Noise
Wynonna introduced her new band, "Wynonna & the Big Noise," during a performance in Nashville, TN, at 3rd and Lindsley on November 27, 2011.
December 24, 2011: Engagement to Scott Moser
On December 24, 2011, Wynonna Judd became engaged to her boyfriend, Scott "Cactus" Moser, who is best known as the drummer for Highway 101.
2011: Release of Debut Novel
Wynonna's debut novel, "Restless Heart," was released in 2011.
2011: Release of Greatest Hits Collection
The Judds released a greatest hits collection titled "I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection" in 2011.
June 10, 2012: Marriage to Scott Moser
Wynonna Judd married Scott "Cactus" Moser on June 10, 2012, at her home in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee.
August 18, 2012: Scott Moser's Motorcycle Accident
On August 18, 2012, Scott "Cactus" Moser, Wynonna Judd's husband, was severely injured in a motorcycle crash in South Dakota. The accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg above the knee.
2012: Life-Changing Events
Wynonna and her husband, Cactus Moser, experienced significant life-changing events in 2012.
March 2013: Release of "Something You Can't Live Without"
March 2013 marked the release of "Something You Can't Live Without," the lead single from Wynonna's forthcoming album which was ultimately released in 2016.
2013: Competing on "Dancing with the Stars"
Wynonna appeared as a contestant on the 16th season of the dance competition show "Dancing with the Stars" in 2013. She was paired with professional dancer Tony Dovolani, a previous champion of the show's all-star season.
February 12, 2016: Release of Wynonna & the Big Noise
On February 12, 2016, Wynonna Judd released her most recent recording, 'Wynonna & the Big Noise.' This album marked her continued presence in the music industry, contributing to her already extensive discography.
June 2018: Daughter Sentenced to Prison
In June 2018, Wynonna Judd's daughter, Grace, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for violating her probation. She had previously pleaded guilty to possession, manufacturing, and distribution of methamphetamines.
October 2020: Release of "Recollections" EP
In October 2020, Wynonna released a new extended play titled "Recollections" under the Anti Records label.
November 2020: Role in "A Nashville Christmas Carol"
Wynonna took on the supporting role of Marilyn Jinway in the Hallmark Channel's television movie "A Nashville Christmas Carol" in November 2020.
2020: Release of Recollections
In 2020, Wynonna Judd released the album 'Recollections,' adding to her impressive catalog of music. This album represents her enduring influence and creativity in the country music genre.
April 30, 2022: Passing of Naomi Judd
Naomi Judd tragically passed away on April 30, 2022, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, following a long battle with depression and mental illness. Her death occurred just nineteen days after The Judds' final performance at the 2022 CMT Music Awards and a day before their scheduled induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 1, 2022: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame
On May 1, 2022, Wynonna and Naomi Judd were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as members of The Judds, recognizing their significant contributions to the genre.
November 2, 2022: CMT Tribute Concert
On November 2, 2022, CMT aired a special concert in honor of The Judds titled "CMT Presents The Judds: Love Is Alive - The Final Concert." This event, held in Murfreesboro, TN, recreated The Judds' original farewell concert from 1991 and featured performances by Wynonna, Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Kelsea Ballerini, Martina McBride, and Little Big Town.
2022: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2022, Wynonna Judd was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of The Judds. This honor solidified her legacy in the country music industry.
April 26, 2023: Release of "Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah"
The documentary "Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah," chronicling Wynonna's tribute tour following her mother's passing, was released on April 26, 2023.
2023: Named Best Country Music Artist
In 2023, Wynonna Judd was named the best country music artist, receiving the 'country champion' award at the 'People's Choice Country Awards.' This recognition marked another significant milestone in her illustrious career.
2024: Grace's Arrest in Alabama
In 2024, Wynonna Judd's daughter, Grace, was arrested in Alabama on charges of indecent exposure and obstructing government operations following a disturbance at a gas station. An additional charge of soliciting prostitution was later added.